Fkank wheaton



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK WHEATON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

WEAVING THE FIBER OF THE STALK OF THE COTTON-PLANT lNTO FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,748, dated Mach '7, 1882. Application filed J annary 28, 1882. (No specimens.)

To all whom zt may concern: 7

Be it known that I, FRANK WHEATON, a citizen 0f the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Weaving ot' the Fiber of the Stalk of the Cotton-Plant into Fabrics; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

There are several fibrous parts of the cottonplant-'-such as the fiber of the cotton itself, that of the bark of the stalk, and that of the root-differing in characteristics. These fibers alone, except that of cotton, have been almost entirely useless. I have discovered that the fiber of the stalk, separated from the pith, bark, and ligneous portions bf the stalk, with its long thread, its light yet strong texture, both soft and silky, properly treated, is of great value and very serviceable in various ways, while it is inexpensive and easily prepared. I weave it into bagging, cloths, and different fabrics by the ordinary suitable machines in use for such work.

In carrying out the invention the stalks of the cotton-plant are passed through rollers to crush them, so that the bark can be easily separated from the woody and other portions of the stalk. The bark is then retted in any of the ordinary ways of rotting flax, hemp, or jute; then dried in the sun for two or three hours, or in an inclosure for a day or more; then passed through corrugated rollers to scutch or break the outer covering from its fibrous parts, and finally carded or hackled to obtain the fiber. I then weave it, as above stated. In manufac turing, Weaving, and working this fiber into fabrics, among other advantages it possesses over products of a similar character are: Amuch cheaper article may be produced, as the waste cotton-stalks are utilized instead of growinga separate plant, and a better article of manufacture obtained than in fibers united with other substances and worked into articles of manufacture.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new- 1. Fabrics, including begging and cloth c0vers, made of the fiber of the cotton-plant stalk separated, prepared, and woven substantially as set forth.

2. A woven fabric made from the fibers of the cotton-plant, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. FRANK WHEATON.

Witnesses:

WALDO Hnronnvs, AUG. S. Hnronnvs. 

